Vietnam, Hungary’s top legislators hold talks

Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Kover Laszlo held talks in Budapest on April 10.

Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Kover Laszlo held talks in Budapest on April 10.

Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (L) and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Kover Laszlo

The two sides highly valued the outcomes of the seventh session of the Vietnam – Hungry joint committee on economic cooperation in Budapest on March 23-24.

They agreed on bilateral cooperation plans, including measures to strengthen trade and economic exchanges via regular organisation of trade fairs and exhibitions.

Vietnam suggested Hungary increase investment in water resources, environment, medicine and pharmacy, food processing, bio-fertilizer production, and renewable energy.

Vietnam also welcomes Hungary’s policy to boost bilateral economic ties, including the signing of a framework agreement on credit cooperation worth 440 million EUR.

Education-training is a traditional cooperative field between the two countries.

Hungary provides 100 scholarships each year for Vietnamese students to pursue studying in majors that are Hungary’s strengths such as renewable energy, support industry, environmental protection, water resources treatment, information technology, economics, agriculture, and health.

The two top legislators acknowledged the mutual support and coordination at regional and international interparliamentary forums.

They agreed to boost high-level delegation exchanges between legislative agencies and parliamentary friendship groups.

Speaker Laszlo affirmed to continue supporting and sharing experience in building law, monitoring the operation of the State apparatus and training personnel for Vietnam.

Both sides concurred to step up the implementation of cooperation agreements signed by the two countries’ governments along with their strategic collaboration projects.

They supported Vietnamese and Hungarian governments, localities, businesses and peoples to enhance exchanges for better understanding and win-win cooperation.

Chairwoman Ngan took this occasion to thank Hungary for supporting Vietnam’s candidacy for a seat in the Economic and Social Council for the 2016-2018 tenure and the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

She affirmed Vietnam’s advocacy for Hungary to run for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council in the 2017-2019 tenure.

For his part, Speaker Laszlo said Hungary has considered Vietnam to be its strategic partner in the Southeast Asian region since 2010.

He urged the two countries to boost cooperation in economics and trade, noting that the bilateral trade reached around 266 million USD in 2016, a year-on-year rise of 36 percent.

After the talks, the two top legislators met with the press to inform the outcomes.

Vietnam, Hungary strengthens relations

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (right) and President of the Hungary – Vietnam Friendship Association Botsz Laszlo

Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on April 10 held a reception for President of the Hungary – Vietnam Friendship Association Botsz Laszlo during her ongoing visit to the country.

Ngan briefed the guest on the talks between the two NA leaders and expressed her thanks for the support the association has made to strengthening mutual understanding and promoting friendship between the two nations.

Ngan said the visit was the first visit of Vietnam’s NA chairperson to Hungary since the visit of the then NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong in 2008.

For his part, Botsz Laszlo described the association’s work to the Vietnamese delegation, saying that it helps connect small- and medium-sized enterprises and localities between the two nations.

It also introduces Vietnamese culture while helping Vietnamese tourists explore Hungary’s people and landscapes, he added.

He pledged that the association will continue its activities to strengthen friendship and multilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Ngan underlined the efforts the association has made in recent years, expressing hope that the solidarity and friendship between Hungary and Vietnam will last amid a changing world.

Thousands of Vietnamese people have studied in Hungary. They have served as a friendship bridge connecting the two nations. The traditional friendship needs to be nurtured and upheld by young generations of the two nations, Ngan said.

Vietnam, Hungary’s top legislators hold talks